Thank you.
Madam Chair and members of the committee, thank you for this opportunity to speak to you today.
I'm here representing the Marigold Cultural Centre, located in the heart of Truro, Nova Scotia. We are a not-for-profit, multi-purpose facility, housing a 208-seat theatre, an art gallery and education space, and a celebration of local sports heritage. Day in and day out, we see first-hand what happens when a community gathers in a shared physical space to experience the magic of the performing arts.
I did not travel to Ottawa to speak only about our theatre. I'm here because, as a representative of the wider east coast arts ecosystem, I want to share the broader picture of what our sector is facing right now. Our community is feeling a deep sense of uncertainty about the future.
We cannot talk about supporting the next generation of artists without looking at the stability of the infrastructure that supports them. Recently, the cultural sector in Nova Scotia has experienced significant shifts due to the provincial budget. This included notable reductions to arts and cultural funding, including a 30% reduction to Arts Nova Scotia's budget and the conclusion of several creative programs.
Among those changes was the loss of funding for programs such as artists in schools. These initiatives are vital, because they place professional creators in classrooms, sparking the imaginations of young Nova Scotians who might otherwise never have the chance to experience live theatre, music or visual art.
I must note that these latest budget cuts didn't hit us as hard as others, simply because we had recently received a substantial grant the year prior. That funding was ultimately reduced by 20%. Although losing a portion of our funding presents its challenges, we remain incredibly grateful for the support we receive.
However, while the Marigold is in a position to manage this transition for the time being, many of our peers, including smaller community halls, fringe spaces, grassroots festivals and independent galleries across the province are finding it much more difficult to sustain their operations. When regional grants are reduced by 20% to 30%, it impacts the human resources required to keep these doors open. Without these spaces, we risk losing the next generation of Canadian storytellers to other regions or seeing them step away from their crafts entirely.
Nova Scotia has always punched far above its weight culturally. Our province boasts a wealth of talent that has graced the Marigold stage, featuring artists who have gone on to capture the hearts of the audiences nationwide and globally.
I see one right there. Hey, David.
Every household name started as an emerging artist looking for a welcoming local stage to test their voice. Performance spaces are the true incubators for Canadian identity. If we do not protect and preserve these spaces, the next generation of artists loses the very places in which they can safely learn, grow and perfect their crafts.
Furthermore, let's consider the social impact these spaces have on our youth. In an increasingly digital world, younger generations are navigating growing feelings of isolation. Creative spaces offer a meaningful solution. When a teenager walks into our theatre, puts down their phone and engages with a live performance, it builds empathy and connection. They see their own lived experiences reflected on stage and realize they're part of a larger community. We are protecting a vital social and emotional lifeline for our youth by ensuring these spaces stay funded.
We live in a modern, often distanced society. We've been told for years that everything can be streamed, digitized and experienced from afar, but a screen simply cannot replicate the collective experience of a live audience, the shared connection of a dark theatre or the standing ovation that brings a room of strangers together.
Our performance spaces serve as the civic living rooms for our communities. They are places where we connect, find common ground and celebrate our shared humanity.
The federal government has a meaningful role to play in supporting this ecosystem. When local and provincial funding models shift or fail, federal collaboration and systematic support for infrastructure and operations become essential. I urge this committee to view investments in creative spaces not as secondary expenditures but as essential infrastructure for regional economies, our community well-being and our national identity. Nova Scotia certainly needs it now more than ever.
Thank you. I look forward to your questions.